Get a Condom, Give a Condom

By Kylie

At least that’s the mission behind the hot, new, perfectly plaid-patterned condom company, Sir Richard’s condoms.

In honor of National World AIDS day, we wanted to give it up (pun intended) to a fairly new company that makes it their mission to help out countries in need. I recently met with one of Sir Richard’s leading ladies, Mia, to talk about their company, their philosophy and their branding.

The company was founded on the belief that buying condoms is just plain awkward. You feel like everyone is looking at you, judging you and saying a Hail Mary in your honor. They’re forgetting to recognize that you’re practicing the delicate art of safe sex. Sir Richards smartly created a brand that is, for lack of a more eloquent adjective, cute. Their packaging actually makes me want to buy a couple condom boxes and put them on display.

Personally, I find the subtle “Sir Richards Condoms” label on the bottom right to be way less in your face then some of the other leading condom brands out there and different colors represent the different types (pink for pleasure dots, blue for extra-large, green for classic ribbed and orange for ultra-thin). It’s the kind of marketing tactic that would make me feel a little less awkward running into the grocery store at 3am.

Sir Richard’s is also partnering up with local artists, activists and companies like Partners in Health (PIH) to one-up the rest of the sexual awareness industry. Co-creating a condom brand that is used in PIH’s 12 clinics, Sir Richards has made condoms free in Haitian healthcare communities. And that’s just the beginning. After they launch the donation base in Haiti in early 2012, Sir Richards plans to keep on givin’.

Company execs have a big plan for America, too. For every condom you buy, they will donate one to a developing country. So that means Sir Richard’s has roots in America, Haiti and neighboring third world countries where sexual awareness is limited and sexually transmitted diseases are running rampant. The payoff for thousands of kinky college kids? We’re basically helping thousands of people get protected every time we use a rubber! You’re welcome, world.

Before walking out of our meeting with a goodie-bag of condoms and four separate boxes to give to friends (maybe I’m the new naughty Santa?) I learned a little bit about Sir Richard’s college tour bus. Lovingly nicknamed “Lucy,” the bus has already traveled up and down the Cali coast, stopping and spreading the word about their condoms. They’ve got plans to hit the Northeast on the tail end of spring semester in 2012 and they want to hear from you! While their tour dates haven’t been confirmed yet, they’d love to know what schools would be interested in a visit. Hop on over to their site and see how you can invite them to your campus.

Their product has exceeded FDA standards and they’re made from 100% natural latex, omitting caseins (which make them vegan friendly!) and lubed up without spermicide, glycerin and parabens. As of now, Sir Richard’s can be found and purchased at any Whole Foods Market (where they’re a top-shelf seller), upscale boutiques, independent grocers or boutiques on the West Coast.  Not near any of those? Find them online where you can sign up for a monthly subscription.

Gettin’ it on and givin’ back. I could get used to that.